Empowering young people through support, connection, and community-driven care.
At Cafs, we offer tailored programs that support youth through residential care, education, and the transition to independent living, helping them build resilience and strong community connections.
Youth Care
Young people are the heart of our community, and they deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued, always.
Cafs provides 24-hour care for young people on Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) orders, offering a safe, stable, and supportive environment when it’s needed most.
We offer intensive case management for young people aged 16–25 years old and single men with children in Ballarat who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Young people are the heart of our community, and they deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued, always.
But life can be complex. Challenges like mental health concerns, family conflict, violence, homelessness, learning difficulties, health issues, or questions around identity and sexuality can place young people at risk.
That’s why Cafs offers a range of youth support programs designed to meet young people where they are. From residential care to support with transitioning to independent living, staying engaged in education or work, and building strong community connections, we’re here to support them, every step of the way.
Cafs provides 24-hour care for young people on Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) orders, offering a safe, stable, and supportive environment when it’s needed most.
Our dedicated team creates a homelike experience grounded in respect, consistency, and trauma-informed care, ensuring every young person feels seen, heard, and valued as they navigate complex life circumstances.
Out of home care for young people
We provide 24-hour care for young people on DFFH orders, offering consistent, compassionate support in a safe and stable environment.
Our residential care homes are designed to feel welcoming and homelike, where young people are respected, heard, and supported.
Guided by trauma-informed practice, our team builds trust and promotes wellbeing, helping each young person feel secure, connected, and empowered on their journey forward.
Better Futures supports young people aged 15 years and 9 months to 21 as they transition from care to independent adulthood.
Tailored to individual needs, the program offers varying levels of support, from planning and guidance to active case management, depending on age and readiness. Grounded in the Advantage Thinking Framework, Better Futures empowers young people to build on their strengths, pursue their goals, and create a positive future.
Supporting young people transition from care to independent living
Better Futures supports young people transitioning from foster care, kinship care, and residential care into independent adulthood.
The program is tailored to individual needs, based on each young person’s circumstances.
Support begins from age 15 years and 9 months and continues until 21. For those under 17, Better Futures practitioners provide secondary consultation to assist with leaving care planning. From 17 to 18, limited support is available, with practitioners engaging in a more focused but still supportive role. Once a young person turns 18, they receive active case management to help navigate housing, education, employment, and community connection.
At its core, Better Futures is client-centred and guided by the Advantage Thinking Framework, which focuses on building strengths, fostering aspirations, and empowering young people to thrive.
How do I tell someone if I have a problem or complaint at Cafs?
At Cafs we’re here to help and keep you safe while you make some decisions about your future. The feedback process has been developed to make sure that Cafs is doing the right thing by you. It is important to us that you feel safe to voice your opinion, report any problems and have these acted upon.
We provide therapeutic case management for young people in Residential Care or supported through Targeted Care Packages (TCP), focusing on safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing through a trauma-informed, client-centred approach.
Therapeutic support for young people
Cafs provides holistic and therapeutic case management for young people with extended involvement in the Child Protection system, including those supported through a
Targeted Care Package (TCP) or residing in Residential Care.
Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice and tailored to each young person’s unique needs, focusing on safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing.
Through consistent, compassionate support, we work alongside young people to help them navigate complex systems, strengthen their support networks, and build a foundation for a more secure future.
We offer intensive case management for young people aged 16–25 years old and single men with children in Ballarat who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The service provides tailored, person-centred support to help clients stabilise their housing and work toward long-term independence.
Support for young people and single men who are homeless or at risk
Cafs provides intensive case management for young people aged 16–25 and single men with children in the Ballarat region who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The service is designed to respond to immediate needs while also supporting long-term stability and independence.
Our team works closely with each client to understand their unique circumstances and goals, offering tailored support that may include housing assistance, connection to health and mental health services, financial guidance, and pathways to education or employment. We take a trauma-informed, person-centred approach, ensuring that every individual feels respected, heard, and empowered throughout their journey.
Whether someone is facing a sudden crisis or navigating ongoing challenges, we’re here to provide consistent, compassionate support and help build a more secure future.
We provide holistic support for young people on Targeted Care Packages (TCP) with extended Child Protection involvement.
Our trauma-informed, client-centred approach focuses on stability, connection, and empowering young people to navigate their care journey with confidence.
Support for young people and single men who are homeless or at risk
Targeted Care Packages (TCPs) offer personalised support to help children and young people in out-of-home care remain in stable placements or transition smoothly into new care arrangements.
Delivered in close partnership with Family Services, Kinship, and Foster Care programs, and funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, TCPs reflect a commitment to flexible, child-centred care. Our focus is on providing the right support at the right time, so every young person has the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.
